The project’s first Planning Meeting, held in Serbia, marked an important step in establishing the partnership and setting the foundations for the activities ahead. The meeting provided an opportunity for partners to review the planned activities, clarify their roles and responsibilities, and discuss the organisation of upcoming study visits and the development of the project’s first publication on the potential of youth work in supporting young offenders.
Bringing Together Expertise Across Sectors
YW4offenders brings together four organisations from Serbia, Portugal and Greece: CEPORA – Center for Positive Youth Development, the coordinating organisation; the Institute of Criminological and Sociological Research; the Portuguese Prison Education Association (APEnP); and Social Empowerment.
The project aims to strengthen the role of youth work in supporting young people in conflict with the law, both in community-based and institutional settings. By bringing together expertise from youth work, education, social protection and the justice system, the partnership seeks to develop approaches that respond to young people’s needs and promote their social inclusion.
From Planning to Action
Following the planning meeting, the partners will organise study visits in Serbia, Portugal and Greece to explore national approaches to working with young offenders, exchange good practices and engage with professionals and relevant stakeholders. The findings will contribute to a publication examining the potential of youth work in supporting young offenders and the possibilities for applying youth work methodologies in different contexts.
Building on this initial exchange, the partnership will work towards developing a dedicated youth work programme focusing on emotional regulation, soft skills and youth participation. The programme will subsequently be implemented and evaluated in the three participating countries.
The project aims to directly support at least 30 young people and strengthen the capacities of at least 36 professionals, while raising awareness of the benefits of youth work among a wider network of practitioners and experts.